Skeledirge, the Singer Pokémon. The fiery bird changes shape when Skeledirge sings. Rumor has it that the bird was born when the fireball on Skeledirge’s head gained a soul. Skeledirge's gentle singing soothes the souls of all that hear it. It burns its enemies to a crisp with flames of over 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overview

Skeledirge continues the trend of fascinating Generation 9 starters. Torch Song is an utterly absurd STAB compressing damage and setup into one move enabling Skeledirge to snowball while applying pressure, while Ghost typing offers an easily spammable STAB that is hard to resist. And that is not even getting into Skeledirge’s defensive capabilities. Base 104/100 defenses are fantastic, and with reliable recovery in Slack Off, and the amazing Unaware disregarding setup from the opposition gives it fantastic resilience.

However, all is not good for our Singing Croc. Poor Speed ensures Skeledirge will often get hit first and even when setup is still possible to revenge KO. Fire Ghost is additionally a volatile typing giving many common weaknesses that most Pokémon carry if not as STAB, as coverage. Weakness to Stealth Rock and entry hazards further compromises Skeledirge’s vulnerability. Additionally, Skeledirge faces stiff competition with Dondozo and Clodsire as Unaware tanks who boast far better defensive typings and synchronize better on the defensive teams that prize Unaware tanks. However, Skeledirge’s unique blend of offense and defense that ensures consideration in Team Building.
Positives
Torch Song is a great STAB, providing setup and damage in one move while ignoring Substitute that normally stifles defense Pokémon.
Base 104/100 Physical bulk coupled with access to Slack Off, Will-o-Wisp and Unaware gives Skeledirge significant staying power against many physical threats.
Base 110 Special Attack and two extremely spammable STAB moves prevents Skeledirge from being passive setup fodder.

Negatives
Poor Base 66 Speed leaves Skeledirge often on the backfoot and can force it to heal when it wants to attack.
Fire Ghost typing leaves numerous weaknesses and exposure to all entry hazards, preventing Skeledirge from walling as much as it would like.
Stiff competition with other defensive staples who perform Skeledirge’s role better.

Movesets

Cremating Requiem

-Torch Song
-Will-o-Wisp
-Hex
-Slack Off
Ability: Unaware
Item: Heavy Duty Boots
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature

Defensive Skeledirge brings it bulk to bear against many threats such as Volcarona, Breloom, Maushold, Iron Valiant, etc. Torch Song’s laurels have been sung over and over for excellent reason, damaging any potential switch ins and turning Skeledirge’s ok offense into something truly terrifying. Will-o-Wisp shuts down many physical attackers -even those with Super Effective coverage can struggle to harm Skeledirge after a burn. Hex synergizes wonderfully with Torch Song and Will-o-Wisp becoming brutally powerful after previous setup. Slack Off rounds out the set, giving Skeledirge invaluable staying power, enabling it to perform its duties throughout a match.

Tera Types:
Skeledirge is a fantastic defensive Terastalizing option, since its base typing gives it so much trouble in walling. Fairy and Water stand out -the former turns Skeledirge into Clefable-lite, able to better face the Ruinous Quartet, as well as Roaring Moon and Great Tusk. Water is another fantastic option, with only two weaknesses but the assurance that few Grass types will willingly switch in in fear of a STAB Torch Song.

EVs and Items:
Max HP and Special Defense are recommended to shore up Skeledirge’s known weaker defense while Will-o-Wisp and its fantastic natural defense covers physical attackers. Heavy Duty Boots is recommended to account for entry hazards -losing a fourth of your health to Stealth Rock can mean the difference between a successful wall and getting 2HKOd, though given Skeledirge’s staying power, Leftovers is worth consideration.

Partners:
Great Tusk is a key partner to Skeledirge, especially if not running Heavy Duty Boots for being able to clear Entry Hazards and block Dark attacks while Skeledirge answers Grass moves that give Great Tusk trouble. Ting-Lu fills a similar defensive niche, but swaps hazard removal for Hazard setup. Kingambit and other Dark types enjoys Skeledirge checking Bug and Fighting moves while they cover opposing Ghost and Dark types.

Other Options:
Shadow Ball -more reliable than Hex and doesn’t require as much setup.
Yawn -Gets around Burn immune targets and forces switches
Earth Power -if going for a more offensive variant, Earth Power offers fantastic coverage.
Throat Spray -combines with Throat Spray for an instant +2 Special Attack boost, but Skeledirge’s poor speed leaves it prone to being forced out.

VGC & Doubles Options

Fire types outside of Sun-setting or abusing strategies have had limited success in doubles formats largely due to being weak to many popular attacks (Earthquake, Rock Slide, Muddy Water). While this is true for Skeledirge, the expanded speed control options breath new life into the Fire Croc, enabling it to exercise its offense while providing valuable traits like immunity to Fake Out. And Fire types look to become even stronger with the past Paradox Pokémon reliant on Sun for their Protosynthesis. While Skeledirge does not have the makings of a Doubles superstar, it is far from unviable.

Searing Duet

-Torch Song
-Shadow Ball
-Heat Wave
-Protect
Ability: Blaze
Item: Throat Spray
Tera Type: Fire
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature

Skeledirge sings a Torch Song of Doom for its opponents with this doubles set. Thanks to Skeledirge’s middling Speed it can take advantage of both Tailwind and Trick Room to get the jump on its opponents, making it a lot harder to force out after setting up Torch Song + Throat Spray for an instant Nasty Plot boost. Shadow Ball is great secondary STAB especially into the popular Armarouge who normally blanks Skeledirge’s Fire STAB. Heat Wave provides great spread damage and can add up quickly. Protect is as always fantastic for doubles. Scout, Stall, block disruption, Protect is the best move in Doubles for good reason.

Blaze is recommended as the ability here. While Unaware is fantastic for the many setup sweepers currently running around, this Skeledirge is more concerned with dealing damage and the extra boost when at low HP can easily push Skeledirge into unmanageable territory. Tera Type Fire for similar reasons

Partners & Options:
Trick Room and Tailwind setters such as Toedscruel, Murkrow, Hydreigon, etc. make for great partners with this set, offering the speed control it so desperately needs while having typings that threaten Water, Rock, and Ghost type attackers. Grimmsnarl -Skeledirge only gets one chance to setup, so Screens to keep it around as long as possible are greatly appreciated. Defensive Skeledirge also appreciate Grimmsnarl’s support. Tera Type Fairy + Terablast -answers many popular Pokémon and addresses Skeledirge’s lackluster typing. Earth Power -provides good coverage Encore -Incredibly brutal move in doubles settings -forcing an opponent into spamming Protect or Fake out is a great way to shut them down for a turn.

Countering Skeledirge

Dondozo is difficult for Skeledirge, having the bulk to tank repeated Torch Songs and Shadow Balls and able to maim if not OHKO Skeledirge with its own STAB Chi-Yu is just as, if not even more problematic, tanking any attack except Earth Power and able to threaten an OHKO with STAB Dark Pulse. Skeledirge may seem immortal to its targets but it is far from invincible. Its poor speed lets it down more often than not, leading it to take major hits before it can heal or status. Roaring Moon and Garchomp have a good chance to outright OHKO with Crunch and Earthquake respectively before Skeledirge can burn them.

Anime Appearences

Skeledirge has not yet been showcased in the anime # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics